A government review to boost business start-ups in the UK’s most deprived areas has made a series of recommendations.

Lingerie businesswoman Baroness Mone has released her report, Boosting Enterprise in More Deprived Communities, after spending six months touring the country to talk to aspiring entrepreneurs from areas of high unemployment, including the North East.

People in the most deprived areas are almost 50% less likely to be self-employed and Baroness Mone has highlighted barriers they face to starting up a business.

Her recommendations to reverse that trend include improving access to start-up loans; strengthening the quality of New Enterprise Allowance (NEA) support; encouraging existing self-employed people to mentor new business starters; and asking schools, local authorities and government to look further at how business skills can be taught to pupils.

She said: “I was honoured to conduct this review, and to make a series of recommendations that I believe will help strengthen enterprise across the country.

“People living in the most deprived communities still face barriers to starting up their own businesses. It is vital we take steps to overcome these by boosting their confidence, offering more income security and building better business networks.

“By improving access to loans and mentors, and boosting existing Government support to aspiring business leaders, we can help foster a more entrepreneurial Britain and improve the lives of families and communities across the country.”

Business Secretary Sajid Javid said: “Entrepreneurs across the country should be celebrated for their impact on job creation and economic growth.

“It is absolutely right that government supports people from all walks of life who have a great idea they want to turn into a business. I welcome the publication of this review and remain committed to our start up loans programme, which has so far helped more than 35,000 people become their own boss.”

Baroness Mone’s report has also been welcomed by Ted Salmon, North East regional chairman for the Federation of Small Businesses.

He said: “There is a growing culture of entrepreneurship and innovation in the UK and this needs to be cultivated if our economy is to grow and compete internationally.

“Key to achieving this is making sure we don’t limit our potential by restricting opportunities to the well off or well connected. Supporting those from more disadvantaged communities will broaden opportunity and boost the UK’s pool of innovation, creativity and passion for business.

“Ministers should take note of Michelle Mone’s recommendations as they pinpoint many of the critical areas where support should be improved. We are pleased to see the review supporting our own ideas for improving the New Enterprise Allowance and start up loans. We would also back her calls for improved localised support from Local Enterprise Partnerships and banks.”